The Marrying Kind. Judy Christenberry

      “What’s that?”

      “You’re much brighter than most women I’ve met.”

      She glared at him, saying nothing.

      “You don’t consider that a compliment?” he asked.

      “No, I don’t. Your scorn for my gender is disgusting.”

      “My scorn? I was simply being honest.”

      She opened the door further. “I have nothing more to say to you, Mr. Davis.”

      “So you are throwing me out?”

      “Yes, I am.” She spoke clearly and precisely, leaving no doubt.

      “So it’s arrogant to give you credit for your brains?”

      “No, it’s arrogant for you to think you can determine a woman’s brilliance. How do you rate men?”

      He frowned. “Most of the men I work with are fairly intelligent.”

      “But the women are not?”

      “I don’t usually deal with women in my business. I mean, I’m a developer and builder. It almost always involves men.”

      “Well, Mr. Davis, in case you don’t know it, there are a lot of intelligent women out there.”

      “I’ve met some of them, but they aren’t using their brains to get to me. They use their bodies, and I don’t think they’re smart.”

      “I agree. Now, if you’ll excuse me?”

      “No dinner?”

      “No dinner.”

      He sighed. “Okay. Maybe another day.”

      She kept her expression impassive and merely stood there, waiting for him to leave.

      Without another word John returned to Mark’s office.

      “Did you see her?” his banker asked, worry creasing his brow.

      “Yeah, I saw her. How about you set up a dinner so I can talk to her?”

      “Why didn’t you ask her to dinner, if that’s what you want?”

      “I did. But she refused. She’ll only consider going out if it’s for business reasons.”

      “In other words, you’re asking me to trick her? No way, John. Diane wouldn’t like that.”

      “No, not lie to her. I’m prepared to invest a million dollars through her.”

      “You are? Why?”

      “I’m getting very tired of that question. I want to be sure I won’t ever go broke. So I’m going to make a sizable investment.”

      “That’s a good idea, John. I’m sure Diane will be happy about it, too.”

      “Can you just tell her a client wants to invest a million without giving her my name? And have her meet you at a restaurant?”

      “I suppose so.” Mark stopped short and his eyes narrowed. “You’re not going to back out on the investment, are you?”

      “No, I’m not.”

      “Okay. What night is good for you?”

      “What’s wrong with tonight?”

      “I don’t know if my wife can find a sitter that soon.”

      “Call her and see,” John suggested.

      After a brief phone conversation, during which Mark’s wife promised to try to line up a sitter and let him know if she was successful, John agreed to call Mark in an hour.

      Then he left the bank, wondering what had come over him. The idea of investing had been in his mind before, but it hadn’t occurred to him lately, until he’d met Diane Black.

      DIANE LOOKED UP when her computer indicated a new e-mail had arrived. She reached for the curser and clicked it open. It was from one of the vice presidents in the loan department, indicating he had a client who wanted to invest a million dollars. She raised an eyebrow.

      Then she typed in, Sure, I’d love to meet with your client. When do you want to set it up? Lunch?

      The answer appeared almost at once. He wanted to meet this evening. I think it would be good before he changes his mind. Is that okay with you?

      Yes. Give me a time and a place, she typed in, and hit Send. After she received the information she needed, she turned off her computer. It was already past closing.

      It was only after she was in her car, heading home, that she realized she hadn’t asked the client’s name. It occurred to her that John Davis could be the client, but she dismissed the thought. Mark wouldn’t introduce her to someone who didn’t intend to invest.

      They were going to a nice restaurant, so Diane hurriedly changed into a simple black dress that she felt good in. She put on diamond ear studs, a reward she’d purchased for herself after her last promotion.

      When she glanced in the mirror, she nodded to her image. She appeared festive, but conservative. Pleased with how she looked, she hurried back down to her car. She had fifteen minutes to get to the restaurant.

      Mark and his wife were sitting at a table when she entered. Diane smiled. She’d met Elizabeth several times and liked her.

      The maître d’ led her to the table and held her chair for her. She greeted the Golans and immediately said, “I forgot to ask your client’s name. Have I met him?”

      Mark opened his mouth to answer and then stopped, his gaze going to a point over Diane’s shoulder.

      She turned to find what had grabbed his attention. And discovered John Davis reaching for the chair beside her. She said nothing to John, but turned and stared at her colleague, waiting for an explanation.

      “I swear, Diane, John promised he wants to invest a million dollars. I wouldn’t mislead you.”

      After a considering look, she nodded, but still didn’t glance at John.

      “Good evening, Diane. You look lovely tonight.”

      “Thank you,” she replied coolly.

      “You, too, Elizabeth. You look much better than you did the last time I saw you,” John said with a grin.

      Diane turned to stare at him. “That’s rude.”

      “No, it’s not,” Elizabeth said. “We were on a picnic and the baby threw up all over me. I tried to clean up, but there wasn’t much I could do. Everyone did their best to avoid me.”

      “Oh, you poor dear. Was she very sick?” Since Diane had had no children or siblings, she knew little about babies.

      Elizabeth laughed again. “No. She must’ve eaten something she didn’t like. Little ones tend to throw up frequently.”

      Diane looked horrified.

      “Haven’t you ever been around babies?” John asked.

      “No.” After a moment she looked at him cautiously. “Have you?”

      “Each of my stepmothers had an ‘heir’ to cement her marriage with my father. I never did any babysitting, but I was home more than my stepmothers, so I saw the nanny deal with a lot.”

      “A nanny? Your stepmothers didn’t—No, I guess not.” After composing herself, Diane said, “So, you have four brothers and sisters?”

      “No, just three brothers. But I expect to be informed of another one on the way at any time.” John looked at her. “You don’t have any siblings?”

      “No. I was a mistake they didn’t want to repeat,” she said, and then regretted her words. “Forget I said that. Now, you want to